CHÂTEAU GLORIA

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The outstanding Gloria 2010 has a lovely bouquet with ripe blackberry, briary, cedar and tobacco fruit that is very precise. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins exerting a gentle but insistent grip. This is very well balanced and focused with superbly integrated oak on the satisfying finish. Great out of barrel, great in bottle, this is a Saint Julien that has really upped its game in recent vintages. Tasted January 2014. Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Mar 2014)

Good bright, full ruby-red. Captivating nose combines cassis, kirsch, coffee, game, spices and sexy smoky oak. Densely packed and bright, with a fine-grained texture to the flavors of cassis, black cherry, licorice and chocolate. Concentrated wine with lovely sweetness buffered by framing acidity. Finishes with a hint of fresh herbs and dusty, building tannins. A superb and generous vintage for this property: ripe, rich and sweet. Rating: 90 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jul 2013)

A sensational effort, the 2010 Gloria may turn out to be the finest wine they have made since 1982, although the 2009 is a serious contender for that honor as well. A bigger than life as well as more backward than normal offering, the 2010 exhibits an inky/purple color along with an opulent display of black currants, jammy cherries, licorice, cedar and roasted herbs. Some serious tannin gives the wine grip, but this is a full-bodied, big, thick, well-proportioned, super-endowed Gloria that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for two decades. 2013-2033 Rating: 91-93 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (May 2011)

(66% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot and 6% petit verdot): Deep opaque ruby. Intensely fruity, fragrant aromas of blackcurrant and blueberry pie complicated by hints of cinnamon and bay leaf. Then minerally and clean on the palate, with pure flavors similar to the aromas. The aromatically persistent finish is slightly chewy due to youthfully backward but polished tannins. A very stylish, successful Gloria that will age well, though it's already pretty irresistible now. Rating: 88-91 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2011)

This wine has a rather dark and concentrated appearance. The perfumed fruit on the nose is very attractive, showing clear, open and elegant fruit scents but backed up by a rather dense and savoury style. The palate is bright and stylish, well defined, fresh and lithe with appropriate grip and fresh acidity. This is really well composed. The deliciously sweet fruit sits within a very stylish frame, all underwritten by a rather firm and reassuring biting tannic structure, nevertheless this is very impressive on the whole. A stunningly good effort from Gloria here; those tannins are just lovely, and this could be really good value. Rating: 17-18/20 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2011)

Tasted 5 Apr: Very dense crimson. Tobacco and leather and very serious stuff. Dense and rich and sweet on the palate after a more classically styled St-Julien nose. Very appealing even if a little more astringent than a top St-Julien. Tasted blind 8 Apr: Dark and rich and very upright. Beautifully balanced, dry and cool without being austere of drying. The fruit is succulent and yet the framework is there. Very luscious indeed but very 2010. Very firm mineral finish. Long. Bravo! 2018-2030 Rating: 17 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2011)

Deep cassis fruit, already a fragrant and lifted nose, refreshing Cabernet flavours and good length, the quality of a Cru Classé. Drink 2017-28. Rating: ****17.5 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2011)

A little coarse, with chewy tannins, but velvety in texture. Full body, with plenty of fruit and bright acidity. Intense and interesting. Rating: 90-91 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2011)

Mouthfilling, with a core of plum and black currant fruit that expands in the mouth, while tobacco, graphite and roasted fig notes filling in. Long, with a dark tarry edge on the finish. Rating: 92-95 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2011)